September 10, 2013 online at www.uawlocal2250.com
Reminder: Applications for the Pre and Post Retirement program are still being accepted. The program is 4 sessions long, approximately 2 hours each session. Sessions will be before work for second shift and after work for first shift. Third shift will be determined by participation. We encourage everyone, including younger members, to seriously consider attending. Applications are available at the entrances and can be dropped in the Suggestions boxes at the entrances. By the time of the next contract, nearly half of all current members will be retirement eligible.
From the Women’s Committee: Thanks to everyone who donated their time and money in this year’s golf tournament. It was a big success. Over $1500 was raised for ALIVE (alternative to living in violent environment)!
The UAW issued a statement confirming that high level talks were recently held in Germany regarding representation at the VW plant in Tennessee. “The UAW confirms that officials of Volkswagen Group, the Volkswagen Global Works Council and the UAW met in Wolfsburg, Germany, on Aug. 30, 2013, in a continuation of previous meetings between their representatives. The meeting focused on the appropriate paths, consistent with American law, for arriving at both Volkswagen recognition of UAW representation at its Chattanooga facility and establishment of a German-style works council. We look forward to future discussions.” A letter signed by the Chattanooga plant’s chairman and CEO, Frank Fischer, and by Sebastian Patta, the facility’s vice president of human resources, also confirmed talks with the UAW. The letter discussed “the possibility of implementing an innovative model of employee representation for all employees.” And UAW President Bob King issued a statement saying, “The meeting focused on the appropriate paths, consistent with American law, for arriving at both Volkswagen recognition of UAW representation at its Chattanooga facility and establishment of a German-style works council. VW workers in Chattanooga have the unique opportunity to introduce this new model of labor relations to the United States, in partnership with the UAW. ‘
From the Detroit News: Workers at Hyundai Motor Co.’s South Korean plants approved a preliminary wage pact to raise base salary by 5.1 percent and end strikes at the company’s largest manufacturing base. The accord, which will raise the average compensation by 28.8 million won ($26,600), was approved in a vote by the Seoul- based company’s 46,000 guild members, according to a text message from union spokesman Kim Gi Hyuk. The wage agreement includes a 97,000-won ($90) increase in monthly base salary, and bonuses worth 3 1/2 months of wages plus 5 million won ($4600) in cash, according to a Sept. 6 statement on the union’s website. This is equivalent to an average of 28.8 million won extra per person.
Unifor Local 88, formerly known as Canadian Auto Workers Local 88, returned to the bargaining table Sunday with General Motors Co., hoping to come to an agreement on a new contract for about 2,600 hourly workers at GM’s CAMI assembly plant in Ingersoll, Ontario. Local President Dan Borthwick said Friday that formal negotiations with GM began Sunday and that the union has scheduled a ratification vote on Sept. 15. The current contract expires at 11:59 p.m. Sept. 16. Borthwick wouldn’t comment on specifics that the union is seeking for its membership. “We want to improve the conditions both in the plant and economically for our members,” Borthwick said in a telephone interview. Borthwick said it’s unclear whether Unifor 88 will end up with a three- or four-year contract. GM Canada spokeswoman Adria MacKenzie said in an email, "We are optimistic that we can work with our CAW partners to overcome challenges together and find creative solutions to ensure we are competitive. There is still more work to be done to enhance the competitiveness of our Canadian operations and we will continue to work with the CAW to identify opportunities to improve." GM and Unifor Local 88 started negotiations earlier this year, but the union in late March canceled a scheduled ratification vote and around the same time announced formal talks were being suspended while the parties reviewed “a number of issues.” The sides have had informal discussions since. In August, the local union’s membership voted to authorize a strike if necessary, with 98.6 percent of members supporting, Borthwick said. “I think the deadline is necessary, but I believe a collective agreement can be reached between both parties,” he said.
From Automotive News: Toyota Motor Corp. is recalling about 780,000 crossovers and hybrid sedans for a second time to fix looseness on rear-suspension lower arms that could cause the threads to rust and wear out, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said. The recall covers 2010 Lexus HS 250h hybrids and 2006-11 Toyota RAV4 crossovers. The original recall for both vehicles was launched in November, but Toyota said it received reports from dealers that some vehicles experienced the same symptoms as before (Doh!!) Drivers reported hearing abnormal noises from the rear of the vehicles. The automaker, in documents submitted to regulators, said wear on the threaded part of the arm could cause the arm to separate, which could result in the loss of vehicle control and a crash. Toyota and Lexus sent similar letters to their dealers on Tuesday, Sept. 3, notifying them of the second recall. "Upon investigation, it was discovered that some inspections were not adequate and portions of the repair procedure may not have been performed correctly," the Toyota letter stated. Toyota said it has revised the inspection and remedy procedures and is asking owners to go to dealerships to have the revised procedures performed.
From Mlive: Employees of a General Motors Corp. engine component plant (Grand Rapids) were sent home at about 10 a.m. on Monday, Sept. 9, after a lightning strike caused a power outage. General Motors spokesman Bob Wheeler said company officials were meeting with Consumers Energy officials to evaluate the damage and determine if the plant’s second shift would be called in to work. The plant does not have adequate backup power to operate at full production, Wheeler said. Some of the backup equipment also sustained damage as a result of the lightning strike. While the factory is considered a critical supplier for General Motors, Wheeler said the outage should not have a company-wide effect if production resumes within a day. “Hopefully this is short term and hopefully, we lost only one shift of production,” he said.
Tom Brune
UAW/GM Communications Coordinator
Wentzville Assembly
636-327-2119
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